The creation and promulgation of the 1957 Law Enforcement Code of Ethics represents a watershed in the codification of police ethics. Prior to this code, many codes did not exist as discrete documents but were instead incorporated in manuals and rulebooks. Codes of contemporary police departments display much greater specificity in terms of mission and value statements and standards of conduct. Ethical codes have a long history, but it has only been in the past two centuries that occupational and professional codes have multiplied and begun to play an important public role. Ethical codes are intended to mediate the provision of goods or services by an organization, but not all codes are intended as equally public documents. Professional codes are not to be seen as comprehensive codes of conduct; they view conduct primarily from the perspective of the professional services rendered. The codes play an important role in professionalization, accreditation, quality assurance, improved public relations, and liability limitation. Problems in and the value of using ethical codes by law enforcement are examined. Past codes in England, Australia, Canada, and the United States are provided, as well as contemporary international and foreign codes and contemporary U.S. codes at the Federal, State, and local levels. Ancillary codes promulgated by organizations and associations are also included. 76 references